My little Schultz passed away on New Year's eve. It has been so difficult for my husband and I-and I'm sure it will always be in some sense.

Schultz was my first pet ever-I adopted him from Lollypop Farm when he was 9, and he lived to be 14. Although a high maintenance, grumpy old fart-I loved him to death, and he loved me right back. He gave us a fair amount of scares- from eating an entire Easter basket full of chocolate to packing peanuts to gum, Mr. Schultz sure knew how to get what he wanted regardless of the consequence. He even managed to tip over our garbage can time and time again even though it stood a good foot (or more) taller than him...I'm pretty sure he had a cast iron stomach

Anyway, over the years his health declined, but he was happy as ever and never "complained". Even when he was diagnosed with cancer, he took all the testing/poking/prodding like a champ, and every vet commented on what a rock start patient he was Whenever he came back to me, his tail would be wagging full force and he couldn't wait to hop into my arms.

When he passed it was quite the surprise, and I still don't even understand what happened. All day on 12/31 he was acting like his usual self-he was pretty much fine (with the exception of a few puking incidents the day before, but he still ate and pooped/peed just fine). When I got home from a New Year's eve party, I went to let out the dogs and Schultz wouldn't move from his crate. I noticed his breathing was raspy. He tried to lift his head, but it fell back down.

I immediatley knew something was wrong, so I grabbed him and we rushed to the ER. He barely made it on the way there. When we walked in his tongue was hanging out and it was turning blue (this image will be burned in my mind forever). They took him quickly and put us in a room. Basically they told us he wasn't going to make it and they could try some radiographs etc. or we could euth to prevent further suffering. We chose to euth-it was obvious nothing was going to help him. He wasn't breathing and his gums were blue. The vet said he had a significant heart murmur (which he never had before-I don't get it) So they brought him in and we held him, kissed him and pet him and told him we loved him...then he seemed to relax...and was gone...

I have never lost a pet before, and I am so saddened my heart literally aches. Will it ever feel "normal without him around? Things are OK so far at home. Our other dogs don't seem to have noticed and are acting pretty normal. Schultz kept to himself so I am not too surprised.

Anyway, thank you for providing an outlet to share my feelings and stories about Schultzie. He was a good friend and loving companion. I know he is living it up in weiner dog heaven with plenty of food and warm beds for snuggling. I just miss him so, and will love him forever.

Here is a link to a photo album on my Facebook page with pics of Schultz for anyone who is interested.

I am sorry for your loss and the pain. When you first joined and posted his photos, I always thought he was such a cute guy.

As for the pain, I can only tell you how it affects me when I lose one, and maybe it would be the similar for you. It starts like a tornado ripped your heart out. It slowly progresses to a very bad storm. Then, it is just a dull ache that lessens, but never goes away.

I think it was WONDERFUL of you to adopt an older dog. Seniors are my favorite. Schultz had 5 terrific years with you and he knew what love was.

I'm so sorry to read this thread. Losing a beloved pet is always so difficult.

I'd like to address what you said about the image that is burned into your brain. I know exactly what you mean. I still have flashes of Vincenzo as he was dying and they are such troubling images. Every time it happens to me, I immediately make myself picture Vinny when he was healthy and happy. As time goes on, I get less and less of those bad images and more and more images of the good kind. This will happen for you too. Schultzie's passing is still raw and new for you, but with time things will get better.

As to things feeling normal again, that too will change with time as your "normal" adjusts and redefines itself to life without the little guy.

Jodi, I'm so sorry. The pain will get easier after a time. I wasn't sure if I'd ever breathe again after having to put my cat, Toonces down - he was my first pet that was all mine. But I made it through with a lot of tears, and you will too. Just take the time you need to grieve.

RIP Schultz...

"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

I am so sorry....words always give comfort but I have learned to make friends with time. We love them as if they are our children and some of us lose a part of ourselves when they leave. I too have the images of mine in my arms as she passed...I can almost smell her sometimes. I have random melt downs still and have a hope chest of all her things.

Again I am so sorry...its the greatest pain and I wish I knew a remedy for everyone who has ever felt it. I added you on FB feel free to message me if you ever need to vent.

Safe trip Schultz

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mohandas Gandhi

Jodi I am soooo sorry to hear about Schultz's passing. I know how difficult the past few days have been for you and Jeremy, and also know that nothing anyone says or does will make things easier for you.

You and Jeremy are one of the nicest, most caring down to earth couples I have had the pleasure of meeting. Try to take some comfort in the fact that Schultz lead a very special life that most dogs never have the chance to see.

I lost my first dog a few years ago...and I still feel her pain so sharply, it hurts sometimes. I'm now at the point where I have her pictures hanging on the wall again, so I can cherish the good times...it still hurts, but it's an ache now, and I can share the stories of how wonderful she was. The memories won't fade, but they will hurt less... Do remember to focus on the good times, the wonderful things he used to do...time will heal

"I don't have any idea if my dogs respect me or not, but they're greedy and I have their stuff." -- Patty Ruzzo

"Dogs don't want to control people. They want to control their own lives." --John Bradshaw